WW1 British dated 1908 webbing equipment set original 1918 1917

Casualty group to Pte George Jeffey Brough KOSB MGC Gallipoli

George Geoffrey Brough was born in 1891 to Joanna and George Brough in Edinburgh, Scotland



When George turned 18 he enlisted with the 1st Kings Own Scottish Borders on the 7th October 1907 for 7 years in the Army and 5 years in the reserve. On enlistment he is described as 5 ft 6 and 1/4 inches, blue eyes, brown hair and having a flower tattoo on his back.



George's brother Hugh also served in the navy later drowning at the 'Good Hope' in the first naval battle of the Falkland islands.



After training and serving at home for just over 3 years George was swiftly sent over to Egypt with the 1st KOSB and served there for 3 months, George was then sent straight to India where he served right up until the outbreak of war. Qualified swimmer and marksman as noted in small book.



At the outbreak of war the 1st were ordered back to England and prepared to serve overseas.



the 1st KOSB landed at Cape Helles in Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915. George was among these men and landed with them right in the thick of it. The 1st KOSB were one of the hardest hit battalions having lost a large of there strength. While fighting at Gallipoli George was twice, he was reported wounded in June and again in August (you can see that in the photo in slide 3 that he is wearing his 2 Wound stripes)



On the 18th March 1916 the 1st landed at Marseilles, France. They were first stationed at Beaumont hamel on the somme, here they fought along sight thr royal inniskilling fusiliers on the 1st July. In December of the same year they fought on the Ancre, taking action at Langemarck, Cambrai and Passchendaele.



Sometime after the 1st July 1916 (probably sometime in 1917 or early 1918) George transferred to the Machine Gun Corps also famously known as the 'suicide squad'. I belive he was most likely transferred to the MGC as he was probably the 1st KOSB's machine gunner. As George was already serving in the 29th division (1st KOSB were apart of the 29th) He was put into the 29th Battalion Machine Gun Corps on there formation in Febuary 1918. The 29th Battalion were heavily involved in the battle of the Lys, taking part in the following actions: Estaires, Messines, Hazebrouck, Bailleul.

On The Final Advance to Victory they took part in: capture of outersteen ridge, ploegsteert, Hill 63. On The Final Advance l Flanders they took part in: battle of Ypres, battle of Courtrai. After the armistice the 29th were ordered to the Rhine which the marched to and served as part of the Army of occupation. While George was stationed in Germany he unfortunately Caught the Spanish flue which was rapidly spreading at the time. Unfortunately on the 7th March 1919 George would succumb to his sickness and pass while at the 44th Casualty cleaeing Station in Colougne.



The following are pieces wrote by men he served with such as his battalion officer commanding, battalion chaplain and a man who treated him in the CCS "dear madam will you please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss you have sustained by the death of your son. He had served a very long time in the company, and had a reputation of being the bravest man in the company. I know more than anyone else of his good character in the line, as he always accompanied me, and if any volunteers were ever required to come with me as extra duty, he was always one of the first to step forward. He has been twice recommended by myself for his good work but so far nothing has come out of it. If anything does I will see that you are advised. Your son was buried today in the Sudfriedhop cemetery, Cologne, and the old members now existing of the 87 MG Coy were represented by a NCO, who placed a wreath on the grave; also the signallers of the battalion were represented and took a wreath. In order that the grave is properly marked I am trying to get a suitable cross and inscription put up, and when it is done I will let you know. Again please accept my condolences from all the men he has served with. J Goodson Bex (Major, commanding B.Coy, 29 MG Bn) Dear Mrs Brough, I very much regret to have to tell you that your son, signaller George Brough, of the KOSB attached to the 29th MG Bn has dies as a result of illness following upon influenza. He passed away at No.44 CCS on Friday last. His death is particularly sad in view of the fact that he had come safely through four years on active service. He will be very much missed, for he was extra-ordinarily brave while in the line, indeed his company commander cannot speak too highly of him. He will be buried tomorrow, and the company has sent a wreath, and both officers and men will be present at the service. Please accept out united and very sincere sympathy. May God, who has seen fit to call him from you, give you the comfort and help you need at this dark sad time.some of your son's officers are writing to you - Belive me to be, yours sincerely in christ, Reginald Trench, Senior Chaplain.

We can see from these letters ehat type of man George was, a brave hero who died too young. I am for now the custodian of his soldiers small book which details his service pre War, the Memorial plaque which has been mounted presumably by his mother, a photo postcard of him in field uniform and the touching letter detailing his death. Very nice group.


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